2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 2nd-worst of 4 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system problems dominate at 39% of complaints, with steering and airbag non-deployment also frequently reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #2 of 4 Grand Prix years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 239
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 21
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System93 (39%)
- Transmission & Powertrain61 (26%)
- Engine44 (18%)
- Steering42 (18%)
- Brakes24 (10%)
- Airbags19 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (4%)
- Other8 (3%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel develops play or loses assist, sometimes causing loss of control at highway speed.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes, including rollovers and frontal impacts.
- Headlight relay or fuse panel overheats, smokes, or catches fire, sometimes with the low beams cutting out first.
- Heater motor catches fire without any prior modification to the vehicle.
- Power steering fails after prior noise complaints and dealer repairs go unresolved.
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V400000Jul 3, 2014Electrical System5,877,718 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 model has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 2nd-worst among the 4 Grand Prix model years with data, resulting in a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- Electrical system issues are the top problem area, making up 39% of complaints (93 of 239), including 14 fire reports and a median failure mileage of 120,000.
- Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2006 Grand Prix, covering an airbag system defect tied to the ignition key ring; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2006 Grand Prix compare to other years?
- The 2006 model (complaint index 67) is worse than 2005 (0, Good) and 2008 (33, Good), but better than 2007, which has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict.
- Do the airbags work properly in the 2006 Grand Prix?
- NHTSA received 19 airbag-related complaints for 2006, including multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy during crashes, with 13 of those complaints involving a crash.